Modular brassiere assembly

ABSTRACT

A modular brassiere assembly includes a pair of brassiere cups and an attachment member attaching together the brassiere cups. The brassiere cups each are comprised of a plastic material. Each of said brassiere cups has at least one ventilation opening extending therethrough.

This application takes the benefit under Title 35, U.S.C. Section 365(c) of PCT application PCT/IB2012/056430 filed on Nov. 15, 2012 based upon Hong Kong application 11113443.3 filed on Dec. 13, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates to brassiere devices and more particularly pertains to a new brassiere device for allowing an inner framework thereof to be removed from an outer covering for easy cleaning and maintenance of the brassiere device.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a pair of brassiere cups and an attachment member attaching together the brassiere cups. The brassiere cups each are comprised of a plastic material. Each of said brassiere cups has at least one ventilation opening extending therethrough.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a modular brassiere assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 2 thereof, a new brassiere device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 a through 2, the modular brassiere assembly 10 generally comprises a pair of brassiere cups 12 and an attachment member 14 attaching together the brassiere cups 14. The brassiere cups 12 each are comprised of a plastic material and the attachment member 14 is also comprised of a plastic material. It is envisioned that the combination of the brassiere cups 12 and the attachment member 14 may be formed of a unitary structure such as through plastic injection molding or compressing molding. The plastic material may, more particularly, comprise thermoplastic polyurethane materials, silicone materials and the like. Such plastic materials will be pliable but resiliently elastic to form a frame of the brassiere assembly 10. The attachment member 14 includes an inner section 16 securing together inner edges of the brassiere cups 12 and a pair of outer sections 18. Each of the brassiere cups 12 has an outer edge having one of the outer sections 18 attached thereto. Further, the attachment member 14 may include shoulder straps 20 which extend between the brassiere cups 12 and the outer sections 18. In this manner the attachment member 14 and the brassiere cups 12 generally form the shape of a conventional brassiere. A connecting member 22 is provided which releasably connects together the outer sections 18 together. The connecting member 22 may include any conventional connecting member known in the brassiere arts such as including a hook portion and a ring portion which releasably engage each other. Alternatively, a magnetic coupler or hook and loop couplers may be utilized.

The brassiere cups 12 may each have one or more ventilation openings 24 extending therethrough. The ventilation openings 24 allow heat to escape through the brassiere cups when the assembly 10 is being worn. In particular, each brassiere cup 12 may include a plurality of ventilation openings 24 which are approximately evenly spaced from each other. The ventilation openings 24 allow for heat from a wearer's body to escape through the brassiere cups. FIG. 1 depicts micro ventilation openings having a diameter less than 0.25 cm which are extended through the brassiere cups 12 as well as the outer sections 18. FIG. 2 depicts larger ventilation openings 24 generally having a diameter greater than 0.25 cm and outer sections 18 which are generally open and therefore do not require ventilation openings 24.

A cover 30 is removably positionable over the attachment member 14 and each of the brassiere cups 12 for covering the brassiere cups 12 and the attachment member 14. The cover 30 comprises an inner portion 32 positionable over an inner surface of the brassier cups 12 and an outer portion 34 positionable on an outer surface of the brassiere cups 12. These more particularly form two panels, which may be attached to each other along an upper or lower edge when folded, between which the brassiere cups 12 and the attachment member 14 are positioned. The cover 30 may be comprised of a conventional textile material such as cotton or other material typically used for brassieres.

A securing member 36 is mounted on the cover 30 to releasably secure the inner 32 and outer 34 portions to each other and to the attachment member 14. The securing member 36 includes a first mating member 38 mounted on the inner portion 32 and a second mating member 40 mounted on the outer portion 34. The securing member 36 is extendable through a hole 42 in the attachment member 14 when the first 38 and second 40 mating members are joined. The securing member 36 may comprise a plurality of securing members 36 and the hole 42 may comprise a plurality of holes. Each of the holes 42 is positioned to receive one of the securing members 36. The outer sections 18 of the attachment member 14 may each comprise a longitudinal structure having at least two of the holes 42 extending therethrough. The first 38 and second 40 mating members may include conventional securing member elements such as snaps, clasps, buttons or the like. For instance, in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first mating members 38 include buttons extendable through the holes 42 and then through the second mating members 40 which are also holes. They first 38 and second 40 mating members and the holes 42 may be positioned adjacent to a peripheral edge of the covering or may be positioned in alternate, centrally located areas.

In use, the assembly 10 is worn as a conventional brassiere however the attachment member 14 and brassier cups 12 form an inner framework to generally hold the shape of the assembly 10 and further to define a torso mounting 15 for the assembly 10. The torso mounting 15 may be removed from the covering 30 and wiped down or cleaned since, being plastic, it will not absorb fluids and can be easily cleaned. The covering 30 can then be replaced by a new or clean covering while the soiled covering may be cleaned for later usage. Because the covering 30 is removable from the inner framework, or torso mounting 15, the covering 30 will be more easily cleaned and more quickly dried than a conventional brassier having padding therein which much be dried over an extended time. Moreover, because the torso mounting 15 is removed, it cannot be easily damaged or warped in a mechanical washer as is the case with conventional brassiere structures.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements. 

I claim:
 1. A brassiere assembly comprising: a pair of brassiere cups and an attachment member attaching together said brassiere cups, said brassiere cups each being comprised of a plastic material, each of said brassiere cups having at least one ventilation opening extending therethrough.
 2. The brassiere assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one ventilation opening comprises a plurality of ventilation openings on each cup wherein said ventilation opening are evenly spaced from each other on each brassiere cup.
 3. The brassiere assembly according to claim 1, further including a cover being removably positionable over said attachment member and each of said brassiere cups for covering said brassiere cups and said attachment member.
 4. The brassiere according to claim 3, wherein said cover comprises an inner portion positionable over an inner surface of said brassier cups and an outer portion positionable on an outer surface of said brassiere cups.
 5. The brassiere assembly according to claim 1, wherein said attachment member includes an inner section securing together inner edges of said brassiere cups and a pair of outer sections, each of said brassiere cups having an outer edge having one of said outer sections attached thereto, a connecting member releasably connecting together said outer sections together.
 6. The brassiere assembly according to claim 4, wherein a securing member being mounted on said cover to releasably secure said inner and outer portions to said attachment member.
 7. The brassiere assembly according to claim 6, wherein said securing member including a first mating member mounted on said inner portion and a second mating member mounted on said outer portion, said securing member being extendable through a hole in said attachment member when said first and second mating members are joined.
 8. The brassiere assembly according to claim 7, wherein said securing member comprises a plurality of securing members and said hole comprises a plurality of holes, said securing members being positioned adjacent to a peripheral edge of said attachment member and each of said holes being positioned to receive one of said securing members.
 9. The brassiere assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a cover being removably positionable over said attachment member and each of said brassiere cups for covering said brassiere cups and said attachment member, said cover comprises an inner portion positionable over an inner surface of said brassier cups and an outer portion positionable on an outer surface of said brassiere cups; said attachment member includes an inner section securing together inner edges of said brassiere cups and a pair of outer sections, each of said brassiere cups having an outer edge having one of said outer sections attached thereto, a connecting member releasably connecting together said outer sections together; a securing member being mounted on said cover to releasably secure said inner and outer portions to said attachment member, said securing member including a first mating member mounted on said inner portion and a second mating member mounted on said outer portion, said securing member being extendable through a hole in said attachment member when said first and second mating members are joined, wherein said securing member comprises a plurality of securing members and said hole comprises a plurality of holes, said securing members being positioned adjacent to a peripheral edge of said attachment member and each of said holes being positioned to receive one of said securing members; wherein said outer sections of said attachment member each comprise a longitudinal structure having at least two of said holes extending therethrough.
 10. The brassiere assembly according to claim 1, wherein said attachment member comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane material.
 11. The brassiere assembly according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of said ventilation openings are evenly arranged on said attachment member.
 12. The brassiere assembly according to claim 1, wherein said brassiere cups comprise a thermoplastic polyurethane material.
 13. The brassiere assembly according to claim 1, wherein said brassiere cups comprise a silicone material.
 14. The brassiere assembly according to claim 4, wherein said cover comprises a textile material.
 15. The brassiere assembly according to claim 5, wherein said connecting member includes a hook portion attached to one of said outer sections and a ring portion attached to another of said outer sections, said hook portion being releasably engageable with said ring portion.
 16. The brassiere assembly according to claim 5, wherein said connecting member comprises a magnetic coupler.
 17. The brassiere assembly according to claim 1, further including a pair of shoulder straps, each of said shoulder straps being attached to and extending between one of said brassiere cups and said attachment member.
 18. The brassiere assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a cover being removably positionable over said attachment member and each of said brassiere cups for covering said brassiere cups and said attachment member, said cover comprises an inner portion positionable over an inner surface of said brassier cups and an outer portion positionable on an outer surface of said brassiere cups; said attachment member includes an inner section securing together inner edges of said brassiere cups and a pair of outer sections, each of said brassiere cups having an outer edge having one of said outer sections attached thereto, a connecting member releasably connecting together said outer sections together; a securing member being mounted on said cover to releasably secure said inner and outer portions to said attachment member, said securing member including a first mating member mounted on said inner portion and a second mating member mounted on said outer portion, said securing member being extendable through a hole in said attachment member when said first and second mating members are joined, wherein said securing member comprises a plurality of securing members and said hole comprises a plurality of holes, each of said holes being positioned to receive one of said securing members; wherein said outer sections of said attachment member each comprise a longitudinal structure having at least two of said holes extending therethrough.
 19. The brassiere assembly according to claim 18, wherein said cover comprises a textile material.
 20. The brassiere assembly according to claim 18, wherein said attachment member and said brassiere cups are each comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic polyurethane material and silicone materials. 